“I am woman, hear me roar! And I’m just too big to ignore!” – Helen Ready, Pop Artist

I remember hearing that song and feeling like “FINALLY, someone recognizes my value as a young woman!”

It only lasted a moment.  Yup!  Just a brief moment.  Deep in my soul I could hear myself, asking myself…”Why do I have roar to be heard?  Why do I have to scream and fuss to be understood?  Why do I exist?  Is it just for marriage or to be subject to others, especially men?  If so, am I less than a woman if I don’t marry or do whatever whenever I am asked?”  I, as well as many women I know, pondered these questions and stepped into an array of situations with a huge misunderstanding of our value and purpose.

Fortunately, years later, I heard a man, preach about a Man, who died for me, rose again for me, loves me, cherishes me, adores me, strengthens me, directs me, empowers me and VALUES ME!!!  Not just me, but all men and women.  Yes, some of you know I am speaking of Christ and the way Bishop Jakes first preached “Woman Thou Art Loosed”.  NEVER before did I hear reference to a woman as anything more than a “Virgin Mary” OR a “Jezebel”.  You were one or the other. Even women speakers and preachers delivered messages with the same flavor.  “Women have no value unless she is recognized as a quiet, dainty, obedient docile possession of another person(s) demands, rules and regulations, i.e. her parents or a husband.  All of this was tied into the scriptures like “…Meek and Quiet spirit…”

Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT debating or condemning God’s word! Never would I take His Word and reduce it to my benefit!  God’s mind is greater than us all! Isaiah 55:9 and Psalm 139:23 But I will say that meekness is NOT weakness! It takes strength in Christ to hold your tongue and allow God to grace you with the right words and the right time.  It takes strength in Christ to KNOW that God covers you in the midst of looking like you are foolish with the choices you have made to follow Christ.  It takes strength in Christ to forgive and pray for those who despitefully use you. Matthew 5:3-12

The power is yours, my sisters!! And that power comes from the Man who knew no sin.  Jesus!  Seek the Lord for all understanding of WHO you are and WHOSE you are in this world.  His grace and mercy is upon you, not just during this WOMEN’S MONTH but from now through eternity.  His strength is perfect.  Perfect the gifts, talents and skills HE has bestowed upon you knowing that your VALUE is in HIM! He is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent in you and for you to live, move and breath in Him.  He loves all of us as His children…men AND women! He has graced us all with purpose and to not live beneath or above each other.  He has called us to love one another as He has loved us. John 13:34-35

I love me some HIM…because He first loved me!  When God created mankind, the woman was equal and valuable as well as the man.  Therefore, I know my value because my Creator does NOT make junk.  People do.  Don’t waste time digesting the lies that devalue you, ladies.

You are loved, adored, beautiful and valued! Walk in it…from now through eternity.

• Crystal Joy – Joy in The Morning (image courtesy of JavanJesus.org)

image courtesy of JavanJesus.org